PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)

What is nearsightedness?

In the normal eye, light bends through the cornea and lens to focus on the retina. With nearsightedness the eye is longer (or cornea is steeper) causing light to focus in front of the retina. The image is therefore out of focus on the retina and vision is blurred.

1. The corneal epithelium is removed in the treatment area.

2. Excimer laser is applied to reshape (ablate) the cornea.

3. The corneal epithelium grows over the treated area.

4. The "flatter" cornea bends light to become focused on the retina.

The Result

Before PRK treatment, light is out of focus on the retina. After PRK treatment, the "flatter" cornea causes light to bend in such a way as to become focused on the retina. Vision is clear.